while we were at acmi there was also this really cool thing (I’m sore one of you will n ow what this is called) that I cannot describe with words so here’s a video
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
Summary: Tuk notices some 'bruises' on her big brother. She worries and brings it up while everyone is around. Cue the freak out.
Pairing: Ao'nung x Neteyam
Word Count: 5,708
Notes: I've finally finished Whoops.! I started this fic just over a year ago and I'm so happy for it to be finished. In celebration, I figured I would post it here to. Whoops. is 3 chapters long so I marked where each chapter begins.
Chapter 1
It’s a fairly peaceful afternoon for all of the Sullies. Their morning lessons had gone fine and without too much trouble, so now they were all relaxing in their marui while waiting for Neytiri to finish lunch. After lunch they would all be going their separate ways.
Neteyam had been promised to be taught how to hunt the Metkayina way by Ao’nung. It is quite different from how he uses his bow to fish. Ao’nung is meant to come by after lunch to pick him up.
Lo’ak had been tasked with helping some of elders in the village as a bit of a punishment for an earlier stunt. He had been caught going past the reef to see Payakan alone when he was explicitly told that he always needed to have someone with him.
Tsireya, Rotxo, and Kiri planned on exploring the ocean more and grabbing a few things for the Tsahìk while out.
Neytiri and Tuk were going to spend the rest of the day together. A mother-daughter day as Jake had once called it.
Meanwhile, Jake is going back to training to tame a tsurak. It had been a point of annoyance to him even after he was told that it sometimes took many days to even get on one, even longer to master riding it.
But for now, they’re all just relaxing before they have to return to their duties and promises.
Neytiri is carefully slicing some fruit for lunch while quietly chatting with Jake about how their days had gone so far and how they would be spending the rest of it. Meanwhile, Jake took to sharpening his blades. The knives they had were not made for fish and dulled easily which meant that they needed to be sharpened more often.
Lo’ak had agreed to repair a net for Tsireya. The Metkayina girl had promised to help out some of the elders around the village and she hadn’t time to do to fix it. Lo’ak, being the lovesick fool he is, happily agreed to repair it, knowing that he had the weaving skills of a child. Surprisingly though, the net didn’t look half bad.
Neteyam carefully weaves knots and shells into the new piece he’s crafting, a necklace. Specifically, one for Tuk as she had gotten quite a few shells from the beach and had nothing to do with them.
Tuk sits happily beside him sorting through her shells and picking the ones she wanted in her necklace. She sits mostly in silence as she concentrates all her energy on finding the ‘perfect’ shells. For a girl with as much energy as she has, it’s fascinating to see her so quiet and still. Neteyam smiles to himself at the sight of Tuk as he continues his work.
Next to Tuk sits Kiri, who offers her little sister some of her own collection of shells and beads. Kiri’s also weaving a piece. She needs a new armband as her old had begun feeling too tight. Her old armband is restricting her movements which isn’t particularly helpful when trying to flow with the water.
“Teyam?” Tuk’s voice stood out against the otherwise nearly silent marui. Neteyam immediately looks up from the necklace he’s weaving and to his little sister. “Are you hurt?” This attracts the attention of the other members of their family.
Neteyam doesn’t have the best history of asking for help. He would quite often downplay whatever injuries he had which made a hard-learned lesson when he collapsed in the middle of the forest because he refused help. But in this case, Neteyam wasn’t hurt, so he looks confused at his little sister.
“No? Why do you think that?” Neteyam asks her confused.
“You have bruises under your necklace.” Tuk said in a small voice, concerned for her big brother. “And it looks like someone bit you on your shoulder.” She points to Neteyam’s right shoulder which he had been trying his best to hide with his braids.
“What?” Neytiri is the first to speak. She gets up and walks over to the other side of the marui. She crouches in front of her son. Neteyam slowly backs away from his mother as she corners him against the wall.
She carefully brushes away his braids from Neteyam’s shoulder and just as Tuk said, there is a clear bite mark. Neytiri backs away from her son as she gasps. Jake has already made his way next to his mate and looks at his son worried. “Is someone hurting you?”
Neteyam looks away from his parents and covers his necklace and neck with his hands. He mumbles out a small no.
Jake turns his attention to his youngest daughter. “Tuk go outside for now.”
Tuk reluctantly leaves her big brother and sits outside their marui, waiting for them to finish their talk.
“Neteyam, who hurt you?” Neytiri asks gently, with a rage hidden behind her calm demeanor.
Lo’ak and Kiri sit just behind her not even trying to look like they aren’t eavesdropping. Kiri had put down her new armband onto the floor as she eyes Neteyam worriedly. The net is still in Lo’ak’s hands, but all his attention is now also directed at his brother.
Neteyam slouches in on himself, hiding behind his braids. “Mom it’s fine.” Neteyam says dismissively. He tries to make Neytiri drop the problem. Obviously, it doesn’t work and only makes her worry more.
“Son, it’s not fine if someone hurt you.” Jake said sternly becoming increasingly more protective over his son.
Neteyam moves his hands to moves to hide his now burning cheeks. “No one hurt me!” He insists.
Neytiri sighs as she realizes she would be getting no answers from Neteyam. “Let me see the bruises Tuk was talking about.” She says.
“No!” Neteyam quickly says as he moves to cover his neck once again. His very red cheeks and ears now very visible.
It made his parent’s hearts clench as they see their son embarrassed by being hurt. “It’s nothing to have shame about. You mother can help treat them.” Jake places a hand on Neteyam’s shoulder, but he flinches away from his touch.
Neteyam watches as his father eyes go wide and his expression turns to anger. “Dad-” Neteyam tries to defuse the situation from getting worse, although it seems Jake had already come to his own conclusions.
“Who is hurting you?” Jake says sternly using his military voice. “I want names.”
“Oh, great mother.” Neteyam curses out. “Someone is not hurting me!” Jake looks unconvinced by his eldest’s words.
Neteyam mumbles something out that Jake doesn’t catch which he frowns at. “What?”
“They’re not bruises.” Neteyam says once again louder. His hands still securely wrapped around his neck so they couldn’t see anything even if they wanted to.
“Tuk said that she saw bruises.” Neytiri cut in, the softness in her voice leaving as she got more worried about her son. Jake also eyed him incredulously, not believing Neteyam. “You don’t have to give names or even say how you got them. But please take off your necklace, I want to treat them.” Neytiri looks at her son with a soft smile on her face as if to reassure him.
“Mom just leave it.” Neteyam sounds almost desperate at this point. His tail flicked from side to side as his face seared with embarrassment of the situation.
“Let her help.” Kiri speaks out from behind their parents. “Please.” Her voice so small, yet so full of concern.
“Yeah bro.” Lo’ak agrees. Even he has an air of concern surrounding him. The last time Neteyam had been hurt and hid it was the time when he passed out. It was terrifying to him, at the time and even still, to see his brother looking fine one moment to the next where he collapsed to the ground without warning.
Neteyam couldn’t take the worry he’s causing his family, so he groans out in frustration before slowly taking his hands off of his neck. He quickly takes off his choker like ripping off a bandage, and there in full view to rest of his family is the ‘bruises’ Tuk talked about.
“They’re. Not. Bruises.” Neteyam stresses even more through his teeth.
The silence that follows in the marui is tense. The four other na’vi just stared at the hickeys on Neteyam’s neck with pure concentration. Jake lets out a “oh” as he finally understands what’s happening. Their gazes had softened now, and the only thing left is the shock present on their faces.
The awkward silence that settled on the room is interrupted by Lo’ak. “Bro?! What?!”
Neteyam silently prays to Eywa for the ground to open up and swallow him whole. The embarrassment of whole situation somehow getting worse with the looks his family is now giving.
“Son you’re feeling new-” Jake starts before swiftly getting cut off by his eldest.
“We are not having this talk.” Neteyam groans out as he drags his hands down his face. “I promise you I’m fine.”
“And the bite?” Neytiri, who had been silent, suddenly asks. Her eyes fixed the very clear bite that marked his shoulder.
“They got carried away.” Neteyam says not daring to look his mother in the eyes. “They didn’t mean to bite that hard.” He explained further when he notices the way her tail flicks from side to side in what seemed to be anger. She just hums in response which isn’t bad, but also not good.
As if Eywa had finally answered Neteyam’s prays, a new voice took all the attention off of him.
“Neteyam?” Ao’nung voice caused everyone to look to him. Neteyam feels so relieved, but the same time he fears even more that his parents will somehow connect the dots and start hunting down his boyfriend. “Is now a bad time?” Ao’nung asks confused by whatever is going on in their marui.
“No!” Neteyam says as he quickly puts his choker back on, once again hiding all the marks. He quickly gets up to leave. He didn’t want his parents to somehow connect the dots and start hunting down his boyfriend. “We’ll talk later. Ao’nung promised to teach me how to hunt in the way of the Metkayina.” He turns to look at his family as he stands next to Ao’nung.
“You should bring them by later when you come back.” Jake says obviously referring to the mystery person that had given him the marks. He’s giving him a look that says that it wasn’t up for debate whether he did or not, so Neteyam just nods his head, a tight smile on his face.
Once his father gives an approving nod back, Neteyam rushes his boyfriend and him out of the marui. He’s freaking out internally and it’s starting to show. Before Neteyam could even get more than a few steps away from his home, he hears someone already calling out them.
Neteyam slowly turns around to see Tuk impatiently waving him down from where she sits outside. Fuck Neteyam forgot about his little sister.
“Teyam, are you ok? Who hurt your shoulder and neck? Did mom help you?” Tuk’s question come pouring out of her mouth and Neteyam couldn’t help but feel bad for the worry he had caused her. She quickly gets up and stands in front of him, worry plaguing her face.
“I’m fine Tuk.” Neteyam reassures her. “Ao’nung promised to teach me how to hunt. When we come back, we’ll talk about it, alright?”
Next to him, Ao’nung just looks more confused but still hums and nods his head when he sees that Tuk has cheered up at Neteyam’s words. Neteyam silently turns to him mouthing, “I’ll tell you later,” as Tuk ran back into the Marui.
They walk in a somewhat comfortable silence with Ao’nung looking over to Neteyam every so often. Once they get far enough away from the Maruis on a more secluded part of the beach, Ao’nung finally turns to his partner.
“What was she talking about?” He asks the other boy curiously and even a little worried.
As they had gotten further and further from the village, Neteyam’s panic had started to show. His tail lashes from side to side erratically, his ears are flat to his head, and Neteyam even looks panicked as he turns to look at his boyfriend.
“They know about us.” Neteyam says as calmly as he can.
“What?” The Metkayina boy asks dumbly as if the words hadn’t fully registered.
“My family saw the…” Neteyam pauses before taking a deep breath. “…marks on my neck and shoulder.”
Ao’nung’s reaction is immediate. His concerned expression quickly turns to horror as he stares at Neteyam mouth agape. Ao’nung’s face fell even more as the entire situation registers. He lets out a shaky laugh that sounds a bit too much like a sob.
“Toruk Makto is going to kill me.”
Chapter 2
With the news having fully sunk in, Ao’nung’s panic has reached its peak. His mind coming up with different scenarios as Neteyam stands to the side, waiting for a chance to explain the entire situation. Though it’s a bit difficult with Ao’nung not stopping for even moment in his pacing.
Ao’nung nervously walks back and forth in a poor attempt to help calm his nerves. “Oh, great mother, your parents are probably hunting me right now.” He concludes after a moment “This is it! I’m going to die at the hands of your parents.” He cries.
Neteyam can’t help the small amount of amusement he gets from seeing his boyfriend like this. Though, his amusement is vastly overshadowed by the fact he is also very panicked. Not only for his boyfriend’s life, but also his.
Neteyam can’t imagine that his mother would be too happy they went against tradition and didn’t follow any of the courting rituals. Not those of the Omaticaya nor the Metkayina. He shudders at the thought of her or, Eywa forbid, Ronal finding out.
“Maybe they’ll just skin me. But that sounds worse than death.” Ao’nung mumbles out to himself. He suddenly stops his pacing. Ao’nung turns to Neteyam and looks him in the eyes. “Should I run?” He asks in a voice that can only be described as pure terror.
“No!” Neteyam says quickly in order to prevent his boyfriend from running off before he can fully explain what’s happening. He reaches out and holds onto Ao’nung’s wrist just to make sure. Neteyam jumps on the chance to explain and hurriedly tries to form an explanation. “They don’t know who gave me the marks…” Neteyam takes a deep breath before continuing. “…yet.” He awkwardly adds on as casual as he can.
“What does that mean?” Ao’nung cautiously prods Neteyam to continue.
“My dad wants to have whoever gave them to me over for dinner…” Neteyam pauses. He places his other hand reassuringly on Ao’nung’s shoulder as he watches the words settle in. “…and hopefully not your killing.” Neteyam says on as a comfort to Ao’nung and himself.
It does not help to settle any of their worries.
A new wave of panic sweeps over Ao’nung. “Hopefully?! How sure are you about that?!” Neteyam tries to give him a reassuring smile, but the other boy only seems to get more terrified. “I would prefer to still run.”
“I don’t think that would put you in my family’s favor.” Neteyam tries to lighten the mood. “Besides they probably won’t kill you, probably, at most they may injure you. Greatly. But the Tsahìk is your mother so you will heal in no time.” He jokes almost to reassure himself that everything would optimistically be fine.
Ao’nung sends him a look. “That doesn’t make me feel better!”
Neteyam let go of Ao’nung’s shoulder and opts hold the others hand tightly instead. He forms a small smile on his face, an attempt to comfort the Metkayina boy. “I’m sure they will like you. Though, Kiri and Lo’ak already don’t hold you in the highest respects, Tuk enjoys your company.” Neteyam tries to cheer his boyfriend up.
“She does?” Ao’nung asks, genuinely surprised.
“Yes. She would not stop talking about the armbands you made with her. It was very funny to watch her try and teach Lo’ak.” Neteyam says as he squeezes the others hand.
Ao’nung stays silent. Every word spoken grounding him, slowly helping his panic shrink. Ao’nung gently untangles their hands and wraps his arms around Neteyam while pulling him into a hug. Neteyam relaxes into the embrace. He rests his forehead onto the other boy’s shoulder.
“I think as long we do not inform my parents on the fact; we didn’t follow any of the traditional courting rituals, we will be fine. We also have to make it through dinner being polite.” Neteyam says.
Ao’nung hums before leaning down to rest his forehead against Neteyams. He closes his eyes and takes a moment to contemplate an answer before responding. “I don’t know if I can do that with your brother around.” He jokes.
Neteyam closes his eyes. He scoffs in a lighthearted way. “Then, we should at least enjoy our last moments of freedom. Before my parents skin the both of us for not following any courting tradition.” Neteyam chuckles slightly.
“We should spend the time together.” Ao’nung decides with Neteyam humming in agreement. “Any idea what we should do?” He asks.
Neteyam leans back to look the other in his eyes. “Didn’t you promise to teach me how to hunt?” He suggests.
Ao’nung opens his eyes and nods his head as he smiles. “I did.” He says while pulling his arms away from the other. “We should go now. At this time, the hunting grounds are empty.”
Neteyam quickly grabs one of Ao’nung’s hand with his own. “Well, let’s go! Quickly before we lose our freedom.” Neteyam laughs as he holds tighter onto the others hand. Ao’nung squeezes his hand back.
Chapter 3
The hunting grounds are empty when they arrive just as Ao’nung predicted. It leaves the two alone to hunt by themselves. Though, the young couple seems too focused on each other to actually hunt. Rather than actually hunting, they stay in knee deep water, messing around.
Neteyam bends down and pushes his hand through the water to splash Ao’nung in his face. The look of Ao’nung’s annoyed face sends Neteyam into a fit of laughs. Light, airy laughs that lighten the mood enough for both to forget about their impending doom.
Ao’nung simply rolls his eyes at Neteyam. With a huff, he wipes the water from his face.
“Shouldn’t you like that? Aren’t you Metkayina?” Neteyam asks in between his laughs.
“I’m going to throw a stick at you then ask why you didn’t enjoy it. You’re Omatikaya, aren’t you?” Ao’nung grumbles out.
Though his grumbling only seems to have the opposite effect as Neteyam doubles over, trying to desperately catch his breath through his laughs. Ao’nung shakes his head while discreetly using his tail to slash the other in the face.
Neteyam gasps as the water hits him. He quickly using his hand to wipe it off. “Hey!”
Ao’nung innocently glances around pretending to look for the source of the water. “How did that happen?” he feigns his innocent façade which Neteyam sees right through. But just as Neteyam opens his mouth to say something, more water hits him, courtesy of a certain tail.
“I splashed you once!” Neteyam shouts as he uses his arms to cover himself from the oncoming attacks.
Ao’nung couldn’t hold it in anymore and begun laughing. Neteyam dramatically scoffs at the other. But the Metkayina boy’s laughs don’t seem to stop, even when tries to compose himself.
Neteyams smirks as a new idea forms in his head. Before Ao’nung could notice Neteyam’s smirk, the Omatikaya boy quickly pounces on the other, knocking them both down into the water.
Ao’nung chuckles suddenly stop. His expression turning to one of surprise. An expression that Neteyam takes a little too much joy in.
Neteyam sits on his legs, pinning him down onto the sand and water below them.
“How are you so strong with such skinny arms and legs?” Ao’nung teases.
Neteyam pushes him back slightly with one of his hands in a playful way. “You ask me that every day.”
“And every day I am amazed.” Ao’nung grins at him.
Neteyam rolls his eyes before getting up off the other boy and standing. “Skxáwng.” He holds his hand out to help Ao’nung get up. Ao’nung happily takes it.
Their lesson, though it could hardly be called that, is done right as dinner is to begin. Rather unfortunately for them, they can’t hide forever.
As the two stand a few maruis down from his family’s, Neteyam takes hold of Ao’nung’s hand. “I am sure they will like you,” he says to Ao’nung.
“Are you saying that for me or you?” Ao’nung counters. However, Neteyam can tell he’s just as nervous.
Neteyam just sighs and grips Ao’nung’s hand tighter. He had never brought anyone home before. Ao’nung would the first person him or any of his siblings have brought home. With his parent’s reactions his morning, he can only pray to Eywa that it all goes well. Or at least doesn’t end with Ao’nung being chased out of the marui.
“Just be careful when you answer my mother. Now come, my family will be expecting us soon,” Neteyam avoids actually answering. They don’t need to worry more.
They walk with their hands intertwined around the bends of the paths. When they do finally reach the marui, Neteyam uses his free hand to knock against the outside, alerting his family of their presence. He only puts himself in the entrance at first.
“Hi,” Neteyam greets them, putting on the best front he can. He’s nervous and, taking a quick scan of the room, Kiri and Lo’ak can tell and are taking much delight in that. At least, judging by their poor attempts at hiding the snickering. Ignoring them, Neteyam pulls Ao’nung into view of his parents.
Jake immediately stands at seeing Neteyam and Ao’nung. Neytiri doing the same. “Is this…?” Jake asks, eying Ao’nung. He doesn’t finish his sentence but with the way Jake is glaring at Ao’nung, Neteyam understands just fine.
“Yes,” Neteyam confirms. He swallows down the nervousness bubbling up. He’s a warrior, he reminds himself, he can introduce his boyfriend to his parents. “This is Ao’nung, my boyfriend.”
Ao’nung lowers his head in a respect, bringing his hand to his forehead at the same time to sign the greeting. “Oel ngati kameie,” Ao’nung says respectfully.
Neteyam takes a second to look at his siblings who are now all gaping. They all do it in their own ways. Lo’ak’s is out of disgust for Ao’nung. If Neteyam wasn’t busy making sure the first official meeting between his parents and boyfriend didn’t end poorly, he would love to remind Lo’ak that he likes Tsireya who is, in fact, Ao’nung’s sibling.
Neytiri doesn’t say anything back for a moment, her eyes glaring daggers into Ao’nung to which Neteyam only prays harder. Ao’nung smiles back at her, though with how nervous he is, it comes out a little too forced.
Luckily for all of them, Jake steps in. “Well, it’s nice to meet you,” he says, sticking out his hand in a tradition human greeting. Neteyam internally panics at that because while he did coach Ao’nung on how to talk to his parents, he most definitely did not give a lesson on human greetings.
For a moment, all of them awkwardly stand there and stare at Jake’s hand, unsure of what to do. Until, Neytiri speaks up. “Ma’ Jake,” she says in that tone.
Without having to be told another word, Jake retracks his hand. Fumbling with it as he signs the traditional na’vi way. “Sorry, old habits,” Jake explains with a laugh.
Ao’nung lets out a few awkward chuckles as he tries to discretely look to Neteyam for help. Neteyam simply says, “It’s a human gesture to greet someone.”
“Oh,” Ao’nung says as if he understands.
Neteyam knows for sure that he has no idea. Especially with the way Ao’nung’s ears fold down slightly to his head and the awkward smile he gives to Jake, it’s clear, at least to Neteyam. It does make him smile that Ao’nung is trying so hard, though if that’s out of the good of his heart or the fear of his life, Neteyam’s not certain.
“Dinner is ready,” Neytiri announces to the all of them. “Come in.”
Quickly, the young couple is ushered into the marui and seated next to Neteyam’s siblings. They sit close but not uncomfortably so. Just enough that every so often they brush arms as they move to grab things or gesture.
Neteyam has never felt more anxious walking into his own home. Sure, he’s had his share of getting in trouble but when he walked in then, Neteyam knew what was going to happen or, at least, could predict very well.
It doesn’t help how this whole thing came to be either. Eywa. Just thinking about it makes Neteyam want to sink into the ground forever. His choker is still around his neck, hiding those stupid bruises. But, Neteyam finds the bite mark more embarrassing.
Which, he is still trying to desperately hide with his hair. As if he could preserve any mangled bit of what is left of his dignity. His dignity probably died the moment Tuk mentioned the bite and bruises.
“Neteyam?” Ao’nung calls his name, pulling him from his thoughts.
“Sorry, what did you say?” Neteyam asks.
“How long has-” Jakes makes a gesture to the couple with his hand, “-this been going on?” he asks.
“A few weeks,” Neteyam answers as Ao’nung nods along. Neteyam hasn’t been keeping track that closely but if he had to guess it’s probably much longer than a month at this point, not that he would admit that yet.
Neytiri hums at his answer, but not in a way that gives Neteyam any sense of comfort. “This is the first I’m hearing of this,” she says to them sharply as she hands both plates of food.
“We were going to tell you soon,” Neteyam says to hopefully soothe her. They had a half thought out plan on how and when they were going to tell their families, one that wouldn’t have taken place for another few weeks, which neither of their parents need to know.
Neytiri looks over the two of them, eying every part of them slowly. Seeing her do this, Ao’nung can now understand why Neteyam had warned him of Neytiri rather than Jake. Neteyam watches the moment the realization comes into her mind. “You two have no courting bands,” she states.
“The Metkayina have different traditions mothers,” Neteyam says, hoping that Ao’nung continues since his own knowledge on the matter is lacking.
Ao’nung clears his throat. “Uh, yeah. We usually make and give courting bands when we are thinking of tsaheylu,” he explains.
“So, what you two have been doing is not for tsaheylu?”
Ao’nung and Neteyam blank, at a loss on how to approach or explain anything. Like how they’ve been dating much long than a couple weeks, and the thought of tsaheylu has crossed their minds quite often, and they have talked about tsaheylu a few more times than they care to admit, and how they have talked of making courting bands, and-
“Babe let’s start eating,” Jake tells her.
If looks could kill, Jake would have been a dead man many years ago. However, Eywa and luck have always been on his side so with a huff, Neytiri goes back to plating and serving dinner to everyone, dropping the question. For now.
Nervously, Neteyam begins picking at his food. Praying that the hardest questions are out of the way, he turns to Ao’nung and smiles. Ao’nung hasn’t been chased out of the marui, a step in the right direction in Neteyam’s mind.
For a little bit, dinner goes smoothly. It’s too quiet and the only one really chatting is Tuk but smoothly. That is until the questions come back.
“Why Ao’nung?” Lo’ak asks as he lifts his head from his plate.
“Well, he’s helped so much and he’s kind when he wants to be and we have a lot in common,” Neteyam begins listing off reasons. “Does it matter though? I just like him.”
“Wow. So how long have you been together?”
Neteyam does not like where this is going. “A few weeks,” he says again.
“And how long have you been pinning for him?” Kiri takes over from Lo’ak in asking questions.
“Kiri,” Neteyam says in that older brother tone. He would not care to admit how long that had actually been. Kiri simply smirks at him. She knows him too well sometimes.
“Are you guys in love?” Tuk asks, so innocently. Her eyes looking over the two of them so hopeful and excited.
Ao’nung chokes. Once he regains a bit of composure, he answers her. “I do care for your brother, but it’s only been a few weeks and, um, you see- well-” Ao’nung continues rambling, trying to find the right words to explain without saying too much. “Neteyam,” he finally says after a moment.
“Tuk, we’re still getting to know each other. We care about the other, a lot. But we don’t know yet,” Neteyam explains to his youngest sister.
Tuk pouts, the answer obviously not what she wanted. “When will you know?”
Neteyam laughs, ruffling the top of her head. “I don’t know but you’ll be the first we tell when we do.”
Dinner continues like this. With Neteyam’s family hounding the couple with questions before it returns to almost silence and then repeating. The small breaks between the questions at least allow the two of them to eat.
“Ao’nung?” Jakes says to get the boys attention. The two of them internally prepare for the next round of questions.
“Yes?” Ao’nung answers, trying to stay as respectful as he can. It’s getting a bit tiring pretending he isn’t terrified of Neteyam’s parents.
“Do your parents know about you two?”
“Uh, they know I’m here, but we haven’t told them yet. We were planning on telling all of you soon,” Ao’nung says as he nervously smiles.
Jake hums at his answer, however he raises an eyebrow at the same time. “Have you completed your rite of passage? You have one, right?”
Ao’nung nods. “We do. It is usually completed near ones sixteenth birthday so mine is in the coming weeks,” he explains to Jake.
“What must you do?” Neytiri asks, her eyes trained on him. She looks at him intently, scrutinizing his every move.
Ao’nung clears his throat once more before delving into the intricacies of their rite of passage. As he does so, Ao’nung’s hand slowly creeps to Neteyam’s for reassurance.
Once Ao’nung is finished talking, Neytiri nods her head. “And you know Neteyam has completed his already?”
“Yes,” Ao’nung says. “He has told me before. It is quite impressive how young he and his siblings were,” he tells them.
“When you complete your rite of passage you will allowed to wed, correct?”
“Mother!” Neteyam finally steps in. “We are not getting married anytime soon.”
“So you do you wish to be married one day?”
This is when Lo’ak and Kiri start laughing. Practically cackling at the looks on Neteyam and Ao’nung’s faces.
“Why are you so focused on us getting married? It’s been weeks,” Neteyam asks her, desperately trying to control the blush making its way to his face.
“I need to know if he’s serious about you,” Neytiri says.
Neteyam opens his mouth to respond when Ao’nung beats him to it. “I am,” Ao’nung says seriously. “Your son is amazing. I’m not sure if we will get married but if we do, I could only be so lucky.”
Neytiri looks pleased at his answer. She gives Ao’nung a nod, her approval of him. To which, Neteyam and Ao’nung finally relaxes a little.
“Good answer, kid,” Jake tells him, giving Ao’nung a small smile and nod.
Dinner finally goes pleasantly after that. With the big question out of the way, the couple relaxes more, settling into the conversations. The conversations are mostly courteous besides a few comments.
“Ew,” Lo’ak says, scrunching his nose at Ao’nung and Neteyam.
Otherwise, dinner ends on a good note.
Ao’nung stands at the entrance of the marui, giving his final farewells to the family before leaving. When Tuk look to everyone and asks, “Wait, how did Ao’nung give Neteyam those bruises?”
“Ao’nung should go!” Neteyam says, grabbing Ao’nung and dragging him away. “I’ll walk him home.”
Neteyam stops a few maruis down after they leave his family’s, hoping they could get a moment alone before their truly had to end. Turning to Ao’nung, Neteyam smiles.
Ao’nung lazily rests his hands on Neteyam’s hips and he pulls him closer. “That went better than I thought it would.”
Neteyam simply hums in response, wrapping his arms around the others neck. “I really thought my mother was going to kill you.” Neteyam softly chuckles.
Ao’nung slowly leans forward to end their night with a kiss only to be interrupted by some very annoying shouting. Immediately both of them look towards the marui they had just left to see Lo’ak standing in the entrance with his arms crossed, looking a mix of angry and disgust. They hadn’t walked far enough after all.
“Hands!” Lo’ak yells at them. “Keep those slimy fish fingers higher!” he obviously shouts at Ao’nung.
“If only he knew where these hands have been,” Ao’nung whispers.
Neteyam shakes his head. “If you don’t want him to ban us from ever being alone again, then I say you pray to Eywa he never does,” Neteyam quietly tells him.
Pulling on Ao’nung’s necklace, Neteyam finally brings their lips together for that interrupted kiss. A quick, completely innocent kiss. One that is shared under the judging eyes of a sibling who has no qualms in fighting.
As Neteyam lets go of Ao’nung and leans back, he says, “You should definitely run now.”
I just accidentally found out that my dad is transphobic.
I did not mean to engage in gender discourse with him and mistakenly believed that he understood and was cool with gender non-conformity. I was trying to discuss malicious compliance as a form of protest against gender binary wording of laws and he shut that shit down with "the law should not be dismissed or disrespected because it doesn't always use inclusive pronouns." The conversation went downhill from there and ended with me coming out as agender out of spite and telling him to define it correctly before I would talk to him again because he seems to be suffering a severe lack of understanding about gender issues in general and laboring under the mistaken impression that I am going to excuse that shit.
I would like to state here, for the record, that the law should absolutely be disrespected for not using inclusive language, and malicious compliance is an excellent and effective form of protest.
Not that I’m telling anyone to break laws. Because I am not.
well, first off i gotta finish my current books (aka six of crows and given to the sea) before reading anything else. however, i do plan to read the rest of the grisha verse, the throne of glass series, and some of marie lu’s books (possibly), as well as doing some research for my wip. (i have an entire pile of books on ancient greece/greek mythology just waiting to be read!)
[27] IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT MAINSTREAM LITERATURE WHAT WOULD IT BE? (I.E. MORE DIVERISTY, BETTER WRITING, BETTER PLOT.)
more wlw, please! there are definitely some out there but i won’t rest until we actually get some more rlly good, mainstream books with proper rep. aside from that, though, i guess i’d like better written characters. most ya protagonists don’t move me at all, and then there’s a sizable portion that i outright HATE so it’s kinda hard to properly get through the books. i’ve only read a few books with protagonists i actually like recently (the false prince, six of crows, greenglass house) and fewer yet have made me emotional (’this is where it ends’ really came after me with that ending, tho. i still mourn for tomas).
[36] NAME A BOOK YOU CONSIDER TO BE TERRIBLE OVERRATED.
anything by sarah j. maas! the first time i tried to read her the throne of glass series, i barely got a fourth of the way in before celaena’s conceited, annoying attitude got to me (pray tell, WHEN does she do any actual assassining? the majority of the book is her fantasizing about how she could totally kill this one guy in .02 seconds but SHE NEVER DOES IT. the rest of it is her failing to be competent, with a side-dish of a girl hate. i don’t get nehemia either, though she’s leagues better than celaena. idk, she just didn’t seem to have the temperament for being a diplomat or whatever it was she was doing. however, her character made a lot more sense than celaena’s and she actually has reasons i can get behind). i went back at finished it on an ebook, and the ending was completely dull. did anyone ever doubt that celaena would live? honestly! tbh, i would have preferred it if celaena did die from kaltain’s poison (what kinda cool-ass plot might that have opened up!?) and that whole deus ex machina fight with elena helping and nehemia preforming magic right IN THE FRONT WHERE EVERYONE COULD SEE (like her cloak would cover up that bullshit, pffft). i just,,,, it was a ride that i hated. kaltain also didn’t deserve that ending, mark my goddamn words. i’m almost done with the assassin’s blade, and i’ll admit the plot is much better and she actually does assassin-y things, but i still don’t like celaena’s character (so annoying and arrogant and contradictory), and, maybe i’m the only one to think this, but celaena and sam’s relationship doesn’t make any sense to me. what, despite her being an absolute jerk and openly antagonistic to him he falls in ‘love’ with her and then after one mission and one summer apart he can confess to her and suddenly she loves him too and he’d beat up arobynn for her??? what chemistry was there? i didn’t see it! sure he gave her music, but they grew up hating each other??? idk, i just didn’t get the hype. the only characters i liked in tab were ansel (because basically her entire character is fit for me to love, i mean: charismatic, friendly-but-manipulative red haired girl with cool armor and a tragic backstory fighting for revenge against the people that killed her family but having to struggle with her dark side and the body count she’s beginning to leave behind???? SIGN ME THE FUCK UP FOR THAT), and captain rolfe. rolfe won my heart in like two seconds with his “i’m the world’s greatest pirate, and i’m afraid of a great number of people. that’s how i’ve managed to stay alive for so long” line because that is some GREAT logic and it makes me so fucking mad that celaena doesn’t have it! honestly, the way she talks about the pirates in comparison to arobynn’s “educated, and oh so refined” assassins makes me so angry. it doesn’t matter how smart you are, celaena, y’all do almost the exact same kinda job as rolfe! the hypocrisy is astounding, imo. everything else in it focuses on sam and celaena, which, tbh, i can’t stand. i don’t understand why they got together in the first place, and the way celaena fantasizes about killing lysandra before they do makes me want to scream.i’m like, halfway through the crown of midnight, but i absolutely hate it. the only way i’ll finish it is if i get a ebook on my phone or smth. the only reason i’m keeping tab on my shelf is because i absolutely love the chapters that rolfe and ansel are in.
as for the acotar series, i tried to read the first book, and got like halfway through before i just stopped reading it. it was so boring??? there was nothing notable about feyre or tamlin (lucien was somewhat interesting tho?), and literally nothing interesting happened in the plot except romance, and it wasn’t even good romance imo. i think something was about to happen at the point i stopped reading at, but tbh i just don’t care enough to continue on. the characters were boring and i’ve heard enough bad things about the future romance *cough* rhysand *cough* to make me keep away.
like, i just don’t get the hype around her books! all of the conflict is just there to make the story look pretty and provide a backdrop for wish-fulfillment white-feminist-y fae porn. when you think about it, the characters barely every have proper reasoning behind their actions behind what would make them look “cool” and “badass”. i’m just,,, so tired,,, of them.
and this has been a really long post, and for that i am sorry, but i have a lot of feelings about sjm and her books.
